Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Biodiversity Offsets Scheme) Bill 2024 – Submission

Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Biodiversity Offsets Scheme) Bill 2024 – Submission

Following the 2023 independent review of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (the BC Act), the NSW Government has introduced into Parliament the Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Biodiversity Offsets Scheme) Bill 2024 (the Bill), proposing a number of amendments to the Act. The Bill adopted most of the recommendations but there are some important gaps left in the legislation.  BPN welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Biodiversity Offsets Scheme) Bill 2024, which follows from the statutory independent review of the Biodiversity Conservation Act (known as the Henry Review) conducted in 2023 and its damning conclusion that, ‘’The failure…continue reading →
Not built to stand the heat: Minns low-rise thermal insulation policy fail

Not built to stand the heat: Minns low-rise thermal insulation policy fail

Thermal performance of new low-rise apartments has been overlooked by the NSW Minns Government in its Low and Mid-rise Reforms. As a consequence, we will see new 2-5 storey dwellings turned into summer hot-boxes. While debate rages around the Minns Government’s “housing” strategy,  the Better Planning Network (BPN) is campaigning to raise awareness of the insulation  oversight, and the increase the risk of energy poverty for apartment-dwellers due to the cost of heating and cooling during  predicted extreme weather  events. BPN has lobbied the State Government to extend  the requirement to increase existing…continue reading →
“Zombie” developments under Parliamentary spotlight

“Zombie” developments under Parliamentary spotlight

The NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Environment and Planning is conducting an inquiry into historical development consents, commonly known as “zombie developments” because they are in limbo between approval and completion. Sometimes over many years – even decades - approved development projects remain unfinished (in the case of lapsed approval times with minimal work commenced) for a variety of reasons. Reasons such as lack of finance feature prominently in the causes of zombie developments, so too are those which are the product of land-banking. Historical, or zombie developments, include coastal approvals that pre-date…continue reading →
NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Minns Government Transport Oriented Development policy (“TOD” reforms)

NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Minns Government Transport Oriented Development policy (“TOD” reforms)

On Monday, 20th May, Christiane Berlioz of BPN gave oral evidence to the NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into the Development of the Transport Orientated Development (TOD) Program. Christiane spoke in one session alongside Jeff Angel from the Total Environment Centre and Save Sydney Coalition representatives, David Reynolds and Merrill Witt. Christiane included valuable input from BPN member groups in  her presentation, and made an important closing comment about the needto look seriously at the many other factors influencing the housing  crisis.A transcript of the day’s hearing is online athttps://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=3035#tab-hearingsandtranscriptsOther witnesses spoke in support…continue reading →
Transport Oriented Development SEPP Gazetted – Maps Still Awaited

Transport Oriented Development SEPP Gazetted – Maps Still Awaited

BPN urges you to read the new State Environmental Planning Policy on “Transport Oriented Development” (or TOD) to see how it affects YOUR locality. Please get in touch with us to let us know how it addresses issues you may have raised in your submissions. The Transport Orientated (TOD) SEPP was gazetted on Monday, 29th April 2024 and DAs can be lodged with council from 13 May. Some of the documents released by Planning Minister Scully today on the TOD SEPP are: https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/planning-changes-begin-today-to-deliver-homes-nsw-needs 2024-135.pdf (nsw.gov.au) https://legacy.legislation.nsw.gov.au/EPIs/2024-135.pdf The TOD maps are not available today.…continue reading →
Rally: Save Your Suburb – Tuesday 12 March 1pm – Sydney Domain

Rally: Save Your Suburb – Tuesday 12 March 1pm – Sydney Domain

Take action! Send a message to politicians that the Minns planning reforms are unacceptable. Sweeping changes to impose mid and high-rise across most suburbs of Greater Sydney without respecting heritage, environment, or unique character of each area are unacceptable. Ignoring good planning to expedite delivery of housing is unacceptable. Fast tracking development alone to deliver “affordability” is a furphy. Attend the rally on Tuesday March 12th at 1.00pm and spread the word! Facebook event page herecontinue reading →
Minns government rushes changes to planning laws: what you need to know

Minns government rushes changes to planning laws: what you need to know

Closing date 23rd February. Details and link below The NSW Government has announced major changes to planning laws. The new planning reforms would apply to the “Six Cities” region stretching from Wollongong to Port Stephens and include the Blue Mountains to the West. There are two significant reforms. The Transport Orientated Development (TOD) Program has not been put on public exhibition and the NSW government has no intention of exhibiting the new SEPP (State Environmental Planning Policy) before it comes into effect on 1st April 2024. For more information:https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/housing/transport-oriented-development-program/transport-oriented-development-seppUnder the second reform, changes…continue reading →
Contested Housing: the great YIMBY vs NIMBY debate

Contested Housing: the great YIMBY vs NIMBY debate

The Henry Halloran Trust fosters academia in town planning, urban development and land management through grants and research support programs. At its 2023 Festival of Contested Urbanism, a debate between town planners, YIMBYs, and economists on the solution to the housing crisis raises the question of whether a simplistic solution like just increasing housing supply is the answer. Click here to view on YouTube https://youtu.be/MEfIupA6AMw?si=faLoSnRfECJpouno In recent years a new movement known as ‘YIMBY’ (‘Yes In My Backyard’) has emerged. ‘YIMBIES’ argue that planning and regulatory barriers serving local ‘NIMBY’ (‘Not In My…continue reading →
Better Planning Network wants answers! – Media Release

Better Planning Network wants answers! – Media Release

Planning Reforms to date have failed to solve the housing affordability issue and the focus on fast delivery of dwellings has left many communities and BPN members all over NSW disgruntled. The planning policy positions of candidates in the #NSWVotes2023 election, particularly of many independent and minor party candidates likely to enter Parliament, are often unknown. Better Planning Network (BPN) has released a set of questions for #NSWVotes2023 candidates for the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. The questions reflect feedback from BPN members about high priority electoral issues, including: Is a root and…continue reading →

A New Approach on Rezoning – Media Release

BPN has significant concerns about the Planning Reform Action Plan announced by the Planning Minister on 15 December 2021. As part of the reforms, the Government has stated that it will introduce a Planning Delivery Unit (PDU) which will intervene at the request of a developer, council or government agency and will “when needed” make a decision in place of an approval body. This appears to be in direct response to developer demands that the Government intervene when Councils delay decisions to enable proper assessment and community consultation or reject decisions outright. The…continue reading →